HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is as late as I will make it - 10:30 pm. Sad but true... We just got back from a little party at Matt and Maria's where we all had lots of fun and Ian was the hit of the party! He learned how to go down stairs tonight and just had so much fun going up and down, up and down. He just got to bed and Aaron and I are headed the same way. So Happy New Year to all! May it be a year filled with health and prosperity for us all. I am going to throw in a little wish for world peace as well.
Amen and good night.

Christmas

img_1597, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Windsor.

Thank you everyone for a bountiful Christmas! We received so many gifts we couldn't fit everything in the Jeep. But more importantly we had so much fun seeing everyone and sharing the holiday with our family. Ian went sledding for the first time and if he didn't love it - he didn't hate it either. Mary made these beautiful blocks for Ian. All of his gifts were wonderful but I have a soft spot for homemade presents. This is the kinda thing you save forever and hopefully he can give them to his child. They are so beautiful, with lots of different possible activities.

Thanks for a great Christmas!

I Survived Finals

The title tells all... I survived finals. But for those of you who have that knowing smile on their face, I did not get straight A's. I have found my limit and it is 4 grad classes and a baby. I just managed to get good enough grades in two classes to not have to retake them and in the other two... yes I got A's. But at this point I just need to get through and learn the material even if I can't get enough sleep to perform well on exams. I have a job.

So that is the big news. I do have a job. It's official or will be as soon as I sign the paper and send it back - which I will do later today. In May, Aaron, Ian and I will be packing up and moving to Chicago! I will be working for a company called Halcrow which is based out of London, England. The parent company is a civil engineering firm with about 6000 employees in 70 countries! The property group is called Halcrow Yolles and employs about 750 people in three regions: North America, Europe and The Middle East. North America is headquartered in Toronto where about 200 people work - this is also the headquarters of the whole property group. They are just trying to expand into the US and currently have offices in NY and Los Vegas as well as the newest office in Chicago. I think I am one of the first engineers hired in Chicago - besides the principal heading the office. I am sure by the time I start there will be a couple more.

The company made me a good offer. Most importantly it includes health, dental and vision insurance for the whole family - with no contribution required by me. That is rare these days! My theory is that it is because they are headquartered in Canada, where one of their values include the idea that everyone should have decent health care. Strange, but true.

We are happy with our decision and feel that it is the right thing for all of us. The next step is to find an apartment, a job for Aaron, daycare, oh - and complete three more classes successfully. But all in good time. What I really want to do right now is prepare for Christmas.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone over the holidays and if I don't get to see you, please have a Merry Christmas! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Chicago it is! More later...

Consumer Excess - Notes on Christmas

Aaron and I were talking this morning and thinking about the upcoming holiday while picking up our sons myriad of toys. The result of this is this blog entry. I know that Christmas is coming up and it will be the temptation to buy lots of toys for Ian. I know - I'm guilty too. After all it's lots of fun. But he has ssoooo many toys. Looking in his room is like looking at a glimpse of the massive consumer culture we live in. He doesn't play with and couldn't play with all the toys he currently has - there are just too many. So I am asking you to consider donating the toy that you would give Ian to Toys for Tots or some other worthy cause. He won't notice this year and maybe next year we could start some other tradition, like making things or something. I know I sound like a bit of a radical here but I don't really understand all this shopping. Personally I have everything I need and most everything I want. It just seems this whole Christmas thing is gotten a little out of whack and I think we have the media to blame again or maybe just the whole culture we have set up. Maybe we are all to blame. Ok, now I am just starting to rant. Back on topic... another option for Ian (an idea I have to credit Margaret for) is to put money in his college fund or something similar. We do have a savings account set aside for him that you are welcome to add to. That being said, you wouldn't be related to me if you didn't just do whatever the hell you wanted to do anyway. Love you all. signed Mrs Grinch

More Job News

So I thought that you wouldn't hear anything more on this subject until January, but things have been moved up a bit. I go to Toronto on Monday, tomorrow I hear an offer from Chicago and on Tues or Wed I hear an offer from Seattle. Hmmm... I guess y'all will have to check back sometime after that. All this and finals too!! FIVE MORE MONTHS!!

Does the fun ever stop??
Lovin' life. -e